starching

[prissylou1217]

I have some projects that i finished recently and I really want to stiffen them. I really don't want to use glue and water. I've used that before and it tends to dull the colors of the thread ever so slightly even if I spritz with water first blot the excess after, plus I don't really care for how it makes a piece feel.

I want to try using cornstarch but I have some questions.
I have read this page: http://sharonstattedlace.blogspot.co...g-tatting.html But she doesn't mention portions. How much cornstarch to how much water? and can I heat it up in the microwave? And can I store this mixture and reuse it?

[Ireneho]

mod podge!

[carolivy]

Cornstarch has to be used as it is made....it goes bad if you keep it for any length of time.

What are you trying to stiffen? If you need to stiffen doilies, spray starch works fine. Hanging ornaments, I use a product called Fa-brick...it leaves a nice finish on the ornament and is stiff without being brittle. It leaves a nice finish on the piece, not like glue. I don't usually stiffen jewelry...unless a pair of earrings is too large and keeps trying to fold over...then I stiffen those with the Fa-brick.

[Antiquarian]

I use spray starch, but this is the recipe my mom used to use (Got to love random things in old cookbooks).

mix 1/2 C cornstarch into 1 C cold water.
Bring 2 C water to a boil and slowly add in the cornstarch/water mixture - stirring constantly until slightly thickened.

Let cool. Coat items to be starched; removing any extra paste. Shape and pin flat. let dry.

You might also take a look at rice paste. I use that in my book making - you can make a little bit in the microwave, it dries clear, and can be washed out when needed - very archival.

[glendalee]

Any plant based starch could attract critters that think it is food and then eat your lace. I don't know how big a problem this is but the lacemakers I know don't use starch. Hairspray works well and can be applied either lightly or more heavy. It washes out easily too.

[Rubeania]

I got some stuff from Joann's called stiffen stuff. It came in a spray bottle and the instructions said to spray the piece to be stiffened repeatedly until it reached the desired stiffness. That didn't work, the spray bottle quickly clogged up and wouldn't spray.

[Elfiona]

Yes, any piece that you want to stiffen permanently, do not use cornstarch, flour or sugar based recipes. It will attrack pests that can eat the completed piece. Those are best for temporary stiffening, like for display. When you are ready to put the piece away, wash before you store it.

[prissylou1217]

mod podge!

how do I use that? should it be diluted? do I blot the excess?

[mmccurry]

I use hairspray on my. Haven't had any problem with discoloring. I've used spray starch and yellowing occurred.

[carolivy]

how do I use that? should it be diluted? do I blot the excess?

I don't know if humidity is a problem where you live, but Mod Podge is not water proof...it will get soft in high humidity and I have even seen stuff stick to other things because of the humidity when it is used. Mod Podge easily washes out of stuff. Before I found Fa-brick, I tried many different products....the one I liked the best until I found the Fa-brick is Alene's Fabric Stiffener. It dries stiff and is not water soluble, so humdity won't affect it.